Alcohols, Haloalkanes and Analysis

Alcohols

Organic compounds containing an -OH hydroxyl group; polar molecules with the general formula CnH2n+1OH.

General formula for Alcohols

CnH2n+1OH

Hydroxyl Group

The -OH functional group found in alcohols.

IUPAC Suffix for Alcohols

-ol, used to denote alcohols in naming.

Primary Alcohol

An alcohol where the hydroxyl group is attached to a carbon atom that is connected to only one other carbon atom.

Secondary Alcohol

An alcohol where the hydroxyl group is attached to a carbon atom that is connected to two other carbon atoms.

Tertiary Alcohol

An alcohol where the hydroxyl group is attached to a carbon atom that is connected to three other carbon atoms.

Polar Molecules

Molecules that have a net dipole due to the presence of polar bonds.

Combustion of Alcohols

The reaction of alcohols with oxygen which produces carbon dioxide and water, releasing energy.

Nucleophilic Substitution Reaction

A reaction where a nucleophile replaces a leaving group in a molecule.

Chloroalkane

A compound formed when the -OH group of an alcohol is replaced by a chlorine atom.

Potassium Dichromate(VI)

An oxidizing agent used to oxidize primary and secondary alcohols.

Oxidation of Alcohols

The process where alcohols are converted into aldehydes, ketones, or carboxylic acids.

Colour Change with Potassium Dichromate(VI)

A change from orange to green indicates the oxidation of alcohols.

Haloalkanes

Organic compounds containing halogens; characterized by C-X bonds, where X is a halogen.

Nucleophiles

Species that donate an electron pair to form a chemical bond.

Environmental Impact of CFCs

CFCs release halogen radicals that catalyze the deterioration of the ozone layer.

Reflux

A technique used to heat a reaction mixture while preventing loss of volatile components.

Mass Spectrometry

An analytical technique used to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of ions.

Infrared Spectroscopy

An analytical technique that identifies organic compounds by measuring the absorption of infrared light, which causes molecular vibrations.

Fingerprint Region

The unique region of an IR spectrum that contains distinct absorption patterns for different substances.

Fragmentation in Mass Spectrometry

The process where molecules break into smaller fragments during ionization, yielding additional data about the structure.

Boiling Point Determination

A method of assessing the purity of a substance based on the temperature at which it changes from liquid to gas.